Migrating from WCAG 1.0 to WCAG 2.0 – A comparative study based on Web Content Accessibility Guidelines in Taiwan

Abstract

The primary purpose of this research was to explore a comparative analysis of the “Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)” standard in Taiwan and the international WCAG standards (WCAG 1.0/WCAG 2.0). The WCAG in Taiwan was established by the Research, Development and Evaluation Commission (RDEC), Executive Yuan in 2002. The WCAG 1.0 was established by the Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI, an organization that created the Web Content Accessibility system) of the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), and became a W3C standard on May 5, 1999. The WCAG 2.0 became a W3C standard on December 11, 2008. The WCAG in Taiwan was established based on the contents of the WCAG 1.0. However, as the WCAG 2.0 was announced in 2008, check standards based on the WCAG 1.0 were facing revision in all aspects. Therefore, this study aimed at analyzing and comparing the differences between the WCAG 2.0 and the WCAG standards in Taiwan. Utilizing “human check” based on the WCAG 2.0 standard, this study assessed disabilities-related websites conforming to the WCAG standard in Taiwan. Results suggested that migrating from WCAG in Taiwan (based on WCAG 1.0) to WCAG 2.0 does not require a full range revision of webpage design. Suggestions given to disabilities-related websites in Taiwan for developing and providing more complete web accessibility included: (1) websites without accessible design should directly follow the WCAG 2.0 standard in developing web accessibility; (2) future promotion of web accessibility should include all educational institutes and related associations/organizations. For future studies, the resource availability for the disabled and the government achievement in web accessibility after WCAG 2.0 is implemented in Taiwan are topics worth of investigation. Expert opinions and user feedbacks should be included to reflect the actual needs of people with disabilities.